I'm sure a plumber isn't as amazed by the mystical, magical wonders of the modern toilet as I am.

I suspect that someone who works in a U.S. mint has no desire to handle money in his or her off-time, unlike me.

And sometimes, as a sports writer, I may find myself jaded and cynical about the wide world of sports.

That can happen when you cover a few hundred games a year, some exciting, some blowouts.

To change that, I've decided to get back to my inner fanhood. It's time to occasionally return to the stands with no pen, pencil or notebook near me.

Step one took place Friday in Denver.

I donned an Avs sweater and lucky for them and their playoff hopes plopped myself 13 rows up behind the net instead of on the bench.

It had the makings of a key game. Colorado was fighting to maintain playoff positioning. Edmonton was desperately trying to stay in the playoff hunt.

There were 17,841 Avs fans looking for a big win. There were five Edmonton fans that all looked like they had just gotten out of bed and tripped through the Broncos paint section on their way to the game.

My Fanfest got off to an ominous start when one ugly face the one kept to a one-inch size along with this column for your breakfast enjoyment made an unexpected appearance on the scoreboard before the game. Nothing like seeing yourself larger than life to make you realize why you aren't dating Angelina Jolie.

It could be worse. I could be the guy who used too much tongue while kissing his girlfriend/wife before flashing his chest. Lack of oxygen seems to make people do weird things in Denver.

The game itself reminded me the best view isn't always in the press box. Sitting behind the net in the Avs' offensive zone for the first, third and overtime periods as well as a shootout makes you appreciate what these professional hockey players are capable of.

And as a fan, I did my part in letting the referees know how poorly they were performing, even if they did screw over the Oilers a time or two, also. I know, I know, this neutral media thing has to get out of my system.

Sadly, things looked bleak when Edmonton held a 4-3 lead late in the game.

Sam Gagner, an 18-year old rookie, put the Oilers ahead in the second and it looked like the lead would stick. Just two years ago, Gagner was scoring for Sioux City in the United States Hockey League and making regular trips to Kearney to play against the Tri-City Storm.

Now he was ready to ruin my night. That wasn't cool.

Luckily Joe Sakic came to the rescue and tied the game with 5.9 seconds left in regulation. Yes, the rare time that pulling the goalie for the extra attacker worked, and I was sitting 20 feet away.

That led to mad high-fiving among strangers. The guy in front of my in a Sakic sweater seemed to want to start a man-hug, but I reserve that for playoffs only.

A 3-1 win in the shootout, and the Avs sent thousands of fans away happy from the Pepsi Center. That included one off-duty sports writer pondering his next Fanfest stop.